Dr. Biadgilgn Demissie

Description
Biadgilgn Demissie is a postdoctoral researcher at the Universite Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Belgium under the solidarity grant. He obtained his MSc degree in Geoinformatics from University of Twente (ITC), the Netherlands and PhD in Sciences (Physical Geography) from Ghent University, Belgium. In his PhD research, he focused on stream dynamics in relation to climate variability and land cover change in the Raya graben, northern Ethiopia using both ground measured and remote sensing data. He has a many years teaching experience at Mekelle University and other Ethiopian Universities. Currently, he is also affiliated to Ghent University, Belgium.

Research
His research addresses wider areas of physical geography and remote sensing applications. His researches focus on land cover and landscape dynamics, fluvial hydrogeomorphology, flood modeling and mapping, and climate variability in dryland areas. Currently, he is working on flood modeling and mapping using open access remote sensing data and open source solutions applicable. Due to severe shortage of data, the use of open access data and open source software are best solutions to support decision making in Sub-Saharan Africa. He conducts his research using open access remote sensing data and open access programs, such as Google Earth Engine, R, and QGIS for modeling and mapping flooding in sub-Saharan African cities.

Membership

• The International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS)
• Global Society of Tigray Scholars and Professionals (GSTS). He is a board member of the society and a chair of the Geospatial Science and Data Management theme.
• Review editor of Land Degradation and Development

Research projects (selection)

2021-2023:  CityFlood

Publications

Peer-reviewed journal articles (29)
1. Gebrehiwot M, Meaza H, Asfaha GT, Tesfamariam Z, Demissie B,. 2022. Spatiotemporal drought occurrences in a semi‐closed Raya graben along the northern Ethiopian Rift Valley. Singapor J. Tropical Geography. https://doi.org/10.1111/sjtg.12417.
2. Demissie B, Amsalu A, Tesfamariam Z, Nyssen J, Meaza H, Asfaha TG, Zenebe A, Gregoretti C, Van Eetvelde V. 2020. Landscape Changes in the Semi-closed Raya Agricultural Graben Floor of Northern Ethiopia.. Earth Systems and Environment, https://doi.org/0.1007/s41748-021-00261-2.
3. Gebretekle H, Nigusse AG, Demissie B. 2021. Stream flow dynamics under current and future land cover conditions in Atsela Watershed, Northern Ethiopia. Acta Geophysica. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11600-021-00691-6.
4. Tamene L, Abera W, Desta G, Demissie B, Woldearegay K, Mekonnen K. 2021. Soil erosion assessment in Ethiopia: A review has now been accepted for publication in Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. J. of Soil and Water Conservation, accepted
5. Demissie B, Teklemariam D, Haile M, Meaza H, Nyssen J, Billi P, Abera W, Gebrehiwot M, Haung R, Veerle Van Eetvelde V. 2021. Flood hazard in a semi-closed basin in northern Ethiopia: impact and resilience. Geo: Geography and Environment, 8(2): 8:e00100.  . https://doi.org/10.1002/geo2.100.
6. Nyssen J, Debever M, Gebremeskel G, De Wit B, Hadgu KM, De Vriese S, Verbeurgt J, Frankl A, Besha T, Kropacek J, Forceville A, Demissie B. 2021. Online digital archive of aerial photographs (1935-1941) of Ethiopia. Geoscience Data Journal, in early view. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/gdj3.115
7.    Meaza H, Fentaye B,  Asfaha TG, Poesen J, Frankl A, Demissie B, Zenebe A, Van Eetvelde V, Tesfamariam Z, Deckers J, Nyssen J. 2020. Spatial distribution and livelihood effects of debris cones at the western Afar margin, northern Ethiopia. Norwegian J. of Geography74(2): 88-104. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00291951.2020.1767684 (IF: 0.698).
8. Asmare T, Demissie B, GebreMedihin A, GebreKidan A. 2020. Detecting spatio-temporal expansion of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in Lake Tana, northern Ethiopia. J. of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing 48(5), 751-764. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12524-020-01107-6  (IF: 0.91).
9. Demissie B, Frankl A, Ghebreyohannes T, Haile M, Nyssen J. 2020. Dynamics of ephemeral streams at the foot of degraded catchments in northern Ethiopia. Land Degradation & Development 31 (5): 591-606. DOI https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.3474. (IF: 4.275).
10. Negash E, Gebresamuel G, Nguvulu A, Meaza H, Gebrehiwot M, Demissie B, Gebreyohannes T, Nyssen J, Zenebe A. 2020. Impact of headwater hydrological deficit on the downstream flood-based farming system in northern Ethiopia. Irrigation and Drainage 69(3): 342-351. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ird.2413 . (IF: 1.027).
11. Meaza H, Deckers J, Frankl A, Demissie B, Poesen J, Zeneb A, Gebresamuel G, Ghebreyohannes T, Annys S, Van Eetvelde V, Jacob M, Raes D, Nyssen J. 2019. Water balance components of the potential agricultural grabens along the Rift Valley in northern Ethiopia. J. of Hydrology: Regional Studies 24: 100616. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2019.100616 (IF: 1.475).
12. Meaza H,  Hermans L,  Nyssen J,  Frankl1 A,  Zenebe A,  Demissie B, Ghebreyohannes T, Van Eetvelde V, Deckers J, Poesen J. 2019. Spatial and temporal patterns of water salinity in the marginal grabens of Ethiopia's Danakil Depression. Land Degradation & Development 30 (2): 1407-1422. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.3321 . (IF: 7.27).
13. GebreMedhin A, Biruh W, Govindu V, Demissie B, Mehari A. 2019. Detection of Urban Land Use Land Cover Dynamics Using GIS and Remote Sensing: A Case Study of Axum Town, Northern Ethiopia. J. of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12524-019-00974-y. (IF: 0.869)
14. Billi P, Demissie B, Nyssen J, Frankl A, Haile M. 2019. Global Change Impact on Ephemeral Streams Sediment Load in the Raya Graben, Northern Ethiopia. In: Chalov S., Golosov V., Li R., Tsyplenkov A. (eds) Climate Change Impacts on Hydrological Processes and Sediment Dynamics: Measurement, Modelling and Management. Springer Proceedings in Earth and Environmental Sciences. Springer, Cham, pp 6-11. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03646-1_2.
15. Demissie B, Meaza H. 2018. Local community perception on climate change resilience and adaptation measures in Qola Tembien, northern Ethiopia. Journal of the Drylands 8(1): 755-764.
16. Billi P, Demissie B, Nyssen J, Moges G, Fazzini M. 2018. Meander hydromorphology of ephemeral streams: similarities and differences with perennial rivers. Geomorphology 319: 35 - 46. (IF: 3.308). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2018.07.003
17. Guyassa E, Frankl A, Zenebe A, Lanckrie S, Demissie B, Zenebe G, Poesen J, Nyssen J. 2018. Changes in Land use/cover over 80 Years in the Highlands of Northern Ethiopia.  Journal of Geographical Sciences 28 (10): 1861-1868. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11442-018-1560-3 (IF: 1.62).
18. Demissie B, Nyssen J, Billi P, Haile M, Vaneetvelde V, Frankl A. 2018. Land-use/cover changes in relation to stream dynamics in a marginal graben along the northern Ethiopian Rift Valley, Physical Geography 40(1): 71-90.  https://doi.org/10.1080/02723646.2018.1458577. (IF: 0.9).
19. Hussen K, Demissie B, Meaza H. 2018. Spatio-temporal wetland changes and their threats in North-Central Ethiopian highlands. Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography 39(3): 332-350. https://doi.org/10.1111/sjtg.12242. (IF: 1.085).
20. Meaza H, Frankl A, Poesen J, Zenebe A, Van Eetvelde V, Demissie B, Gebreyohannes T, Jozef  D, Raes D, Nyssen J. 2018. Water balance variability in the confined Aba’ala limestone graben of the western margin of the Danakil depression, Northern Ethiopia. Hydrological Sciences Journal. 63: 957-977. https://doi.org/10.1080/02626667.2018.1466055. (IF: 2.222).
21. Meaza H, Frankl A, Poesen J, Zenebe A, Deckers J, Van Eetvelde V Demissie B, Ghebreyohannes T, Nyssen J. 2017. Natural resource opportunities and challenges for rural development in marginal grabens – The state of the art with implications for the Rift Valley system in Ethiopia. Journal of Arid Environments 147: 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2017.08.003.  (IF: 1.623).
22. Nyssen J, Biruk B, Tesfamariam Z, Frankl A, Demissie B, Ghebreyohannes T, Meaza H, Poesen J., Van Eetvelde V, Zenebe A, Deckers J, Haile M. 2017. Geographical determinants of inorganic fertiliser sales and of resale prices in north Ethiopia. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 249: 256-268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2017.07.037 (IF: 4.099).
23. Demissie B, Billi P, Frankl A, Haile M, Nyssen J. 2017. Excessive river sedimentation at bridges in the Raya graben (northern Ethiopia)”.  Land Degradation and Development 28 (3): 946–958. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.2572. (IF: 8.145).
24. Bekele N, Demissie B. 2017. Analyzing and Modeling of Geo Spatial Effect on Radio Wave Propagation System Using Geospatial Technologies. Journal of Geographic Information System 9 (6): 777-795. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/igis.2017.96048      
25. Demissie B. 2016. Ephemeral stream dynamics, land cover changes and climate variability in the marginal grabens of the northern Ethiopian Rift Valley. Africa Focus 29 (2): 93 – 100. https://doi.org/10.21825/af.v29i2.4848
26. Annys S, Demissie B, Zenebe A, Nyssen J. 2016. Land cover changes as impacted by rainfall variability in the escarpments of the Ethiopian Rift Valley”. Regional Environmental Change 17: 451–463. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-016-1031-2. (IF: 2.664)
27. Demissie B, Frankl A, Haile M, Nyssen J. 2015. Biophysical controlling factors in upper catchments and braided rivers in drylands: the case of a marginal graben of the Ethiopian Rift valey. Land Degradation & Development 26: 748 - 758. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.2357. (IF: 8.145).
28. Meaza H, Demissie B. 2015. Managing fragile homestead trees to improve livelihoods of land-poor farmers in the Northern Highlands of Ethiopia. Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography 36: 57–66. DOI: 10.1111/sjtg.12098. (IF: 1.085).
29. Demissie B, Blok CA, Otto H. 2011. Assessing the cartographic visualization of moving objects. Momona Ethiopian Journal of Science 3 (1): 80-104.

Papers published in national and international conferences or symposium proceedings (1)
1. Billi P, Demissie B, Nyssen J, Frankl A, Haile M. 2019. Global Change Impact on Ephemeral Streams Sediment Load in the Raya Graben, Northern Ethiopia. In: Chalov S., Golosov V., Li R., Tsyplenkov A. (eds) Climate Change Impacts on Hydrological Processes and Sediment Dynamics: Measurement, Modelling and Management. Springer Proceedings in Earth and Environmental Sciences. Springer, Cham, pp 6-11. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03646-1_2.

Presentations published book of abstracts of international conferences and symposiums (17)
    1. Frankl A., Nyssen J., Gebremeskel G., Petrie, G., Demissie B., De Vriese S., Verbeurgt, J., 2021. Italian aerial photographs of Ethiopia (1935-1941): their recovery and digital archiving for scientific purposes. Oral presentation at the international conference ‘Scientific Missions and their Advancement for Overseas Sciences’, Royal Academy of Overseas Sciences, Brussels, 20 December 2021. Book of Abstracts: 11.
    2. Demissie B, Billi P, Frankl A, Haile M, Nyssen J. 2017. The paradox of bridge sedimentation in northern Ethiopian graben systems. Paper presented at the National Conference on the Integrated Geographical and Environmental Researches for Development. Book of Abstracts, p.  13.
    3. Demissie B, Billi, P., Frankl, A., Haile M, Nyssen, J., 2016. Ephemeral stream distributary systems and land changes in a marginal graben in northern Ethiopia. Rehabilitation of steep tropical mountains and its implication on peak discharge and bed load dynamics: the case of western Rift Valley escarpment of Ethiopia. Poster presented at GAPSYM10, Ghent Africa Platform, 8-9 December 2016. Book of Abstracts, p. 54.
    4. Demissie B, Billi P, Frankl A, Haile H, Nyssen J. 2016. Thick bridge sedimentation in northern Ethiopian graben systems. Paper presented at the International Conference on Sustainable Land and Watershed Management (SLWM): SLWM for Building Resilience against Climate Uncertainty, Mekelle, Ethiopia, November 28 – 30, 2016. Book of Abstracts, p. 63.
    5. Demissie B, Billi P, Frankl A, Haile M, Nyssen J. 2016. Land changes in the marginal graben bottoms of northern Ethiopian Rift Valley. Paper presented at the International Conference on Sustainable Land and Watershed Management (SLWM): SLWM for Building Resilience against Climate Uncertainty, Mekelle, Ethiopia, November 28 – 30, 2016. Book of Abstracts, p. 83.
    6. Demissie B, Frankl A, Billi P, Haile H, Nyssen J. 2016. Did recent rehabilitation impact ephemeral stream morphodynamics in the marginal grabens of the Ethiopian Rift Valley? Paper presented at Doctoraats-symposium Faculteit Wetenschappen, Ghent, March 17, 2016.
    7. Demissie B, Billi P, Frankl A, Haile M, Nyssen J. 2016. River sedimentation in the marginal grabens of the Ethiopian Rift Valley. Paper presented at the Young Soil Scientists Day, Royal Academies of Belgium for Science and the Arts, Brussels, March 16. Book of Abstracts, p. 11.
    8. Demissie B, Frankl A, Jacob M; Ghebreyohannes T, Haile M, Nyssen J. 2015. Sediment supply to the semi-endorheic Raya Graben (Northern Ethiopia). Book of abstracts TropiLakes2015 : Tropical lakes in a changing environment: water, land, biology, climate and humans, p101.
    9. Demissie B, Frankl A, Ghebreyohannes T, Haile M, Nyssen J. 2015. Braided river dynamics in relation to floods in the Raya graben (northern Ethiopia). Paper presented at the 10th Alexander von Humboldt EGU Conference 2015: Water-Food-Energy River and Society in the Tropics, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 18 - 20 November 2015. Book of abstracts, p. 31.
    10. Demissie B, Frankl A, Ghebreyohannes T, Haile M, Nyssen J. 2015. Extreme hydrologic behaviors and braided river dynamics in the semi-endorheic Raya graben (northern Ethiopia). Earth Systems Analysis and Landforms, commented with major revision.
    11. Demissie B, Frankl A, Jacob M, Ghebreyohannes T, Haile M, Nyssen J.. 2015. Sediment supply to the Raya graben (Northern Ethiopia) in relation to bio-physical and hydro-climatic conditions of the escarpment. In preparation for Geomorphology
    12. Demissie B, Frankl A, Haile M, Nyssen J. 2014. Impact of bio-physical factors in upper catchments on braided rivers in the marginal grabens of the Ethiopian rift valley. Poster presented at the 8th symposium of Ghent Africa Platform (GAPSYM8), Ghent, Belgium, 27 November 2014. Book of abstracts, p. 32.
    13. Demissie B, Frankl A, Haile M, Nyssen J. 2014. Land degradation trends in upper catchments and morphological developments of braided rivers in drylands: the case of a marginal graben of the Ethiopian Rift valley. Geophysical Research Abstracts. 16.
    14. Demissie B, Frankl A, Haile M, Nyssen J. 2014. Extreme hydrological behaviors and their impats on river morphology in the semi-endorheic Raya graben basin (North Ethiopia). Geophysical Research Abstracts. 16.
    15. Demissie B, Abera W, Frankl A, Haile M, Nyssen J. 2013. Flash floods in dryland braided rivers and the impacts on river bank reinforcement works and agricultural activities in Raya graben (Ethiopia). Ghent Africa Platform, 7th Symposium, abstract. P48.
    16. Demissie B, Abera W, Frankl A, Haile M, Nyssen J. 2013. Insight into the braided rivers, flood control measures and potential impacts on agricultural activities in Raya graben. International Congress 2013: sustainable livelihood in the tropical drylands: book of abstracts.
    17. Demissie B, Frankl A, Haile M, Nyssen J. 2013. Vegetation cover change and braided rivers in the marginal grabens of the Ethiopian Rift Valley. International Congress 2013: sustainable livelihood in the tropical drylands: book of abstracts, p. 43.

Research books and book chapters (11)
    1. Wassie CW, Demissie B, Derbew BW, Gebrekidan YF, Abadi TK. 2020. Values, Risk Perceptions and Social Adaptation Mechanisms: Environmental Concern in Tigray Community. CODESRIA, Dakar. ISBN : 978-2-86978-781-0.
    2. Nyssen, J., Demissie B, Ghebreyohannes T (eds.), 2019. Land, water, people and landscapes in north Ethiopia’s grabens. VLIR-UOS, Mekelle University, Ghent University, KU Leuven. ISBN 9789082922226, 137 p. 137
    3. Abera W, Haregeweyn N, Dile Y, Fenta AA, Berihun ML, Demissie B, Mulatu CA, Nigussie TA, Billi P, Meaza H, Woldearegay K, Melesse AM, Moges SA, Tamene L. 2021. Scientific Misconduct and Partisan Research on the Stability of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam: A Critical Review of a Contribution to Environmental Remote Sensing in Egypt (Springer, 2020). In: Melesse AM, Abtew W, Moges SA (eds) Nile and Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Springer Geography. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-76437-1_15.
    4. Demissie B, Nyssen, J., Tesfaalem Ghebreyohannes, 2019. Executive summary: Land, water, people and landscapes in north Ethiopia’s grabens, in: Nyssen, J., Biadgilgn Demissie, Tesfaalem Ghebreyohannes (eds.), Land, water, people and landscapes in north Ethiopia’s grabens. VLIR-UOS, Mekelle University, Ghent University, KU Leuven. ISBN 9789082922226: 4-13.
    5. Demissie B, Nyssen, J., Ghebreyohannes T, 2019. የሰሜን ኢትዮጵያ ገራበኖች (Grabens) መሬት፣ ውሃ፣ ህዝብና ገፀ-ምድር [in Amharic], in: Nyssen, J., Biadgilgn Demissie, Tesfaalem Ghebreyohannes (eds.), Land, water, people and landscapes in north Ethiopia’s grabens. VLIR-UOS, Mekelle University, Ghent University, KU Leuven. ISBN 9789082922226: 14-22.
    6. Demissie B, Nyssen, J., Ghebreyohannes T, 2019. ጽንቁቕ መጠቓለሊ፡ መሬት፣ ማይ፣ ህዝቢን ገጸ-ምድሪን ግራበናት (Grabens) ሰሜን ኢትዮጵያ [in Tigrinya], in: Nyssen, J., Biadgilgn Demissie, Tesfaalem Ghebreyohannes (eds.), Land, water, people and landscapes in north Ethiopia’s grabens. VLIR-UOS, Mekelle University, Ghent University, KU Leuven. ISBN 9789082922226: 23-31.
    7. Demissie B, Nyssen, J., Ghebreyohannes T, 2019. Kiilbati Ethiopiah Graben baaxoo lee ummata kee baaxoo Gon [in Afarigna], in: Nyssen, J., Biadgilgn Demissie, Tesfaalem Ghebreyohannes (eds.), Land, water, people and landscapes in north Ethiopia’s grabens. VLIR-UOS, Mekelle University, Ghent University, KU Leuven. ISBN 9789082922226: 32-42.
    8. Demissie B, 2019. River sedimentation at bridges in the Raya graben, in: Nyssen, J., Biadgilgn Demissie, Tesfaalem Ghebreyohannes (eds.), Land, water, people and landscapes in north Ethiopia’s grabens. VLIR-UOS, Mekelle University, Ghent University, KU Leuven. ISBN 9789082922226: 90-93.
    9. Demissie B, 2019. Temporal meandering rivers in the Raya graben bottom, in: Nyssen, J., Biadgilgn Demissie, Tesfaalem Ghebreyohannes (eds.), Land, water, people and landscapes in north Ethiopia’s grabens. VLIR-UOS, Mekelle University, Ghent University, KU Leuven. ISBN 9789082922226: 94-97.
    10. Demissie B, 2019. Land cover in relation to stream dynamics in the Raya graben, in: Nyssen, J., Biadgilgn Demissie, Tesfaalem Ghebreyohannes (eds.), Land, water, people and landscapes in north Ethiopia’s grabens. VLIR-UOS, Mekelle University, Ghent University, KU Leuven. ISBN 9789082922226: 114-118.
    11. Demissie B, Alemework Amsalu, 2019. Landscape dynamics and major drivers in the Raya graben bottom, in: Nyssen, J., Biadgilgn Demissie, Tesfaalem Ghebreyohannes (eds.), Land, water, people and landscapes in north Ethiopia’s grabens. VLIR-UOS, Mekelle University, Ghent University, KU Leuven. ISBN 9789082922226: 126-129.